Operator position adjustable production line machine

ABSTRACT

An operator position adjustable production line assembly includes a main unit having a product path and an interior including a product cavity. An operable top is attached to the main unit with a plurality of support posts enabling equal or near equal access to the interior and product cavity from either side and the ends of the main unit. Optional side covers are selectively movable to increase product cavity and interior height of the main unit. A pair of control stations are provided, one on each side of the main unit, to enable operation from either side or both sides. An optional view screen is rotatably attached to the main unit to permit viewing from either of the control stations.

This is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,786, and is adivisional of application Ser. No. 12/470,935, now abandoned, which isalso an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,786.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to production line machines and moreparticularly pertains to a new operator position adjustable productionline machine for permitting a single machine to be adjusted such thatthe production line moves in a selectable direction relative to theoperator of the machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of production line machines is known in the prior art.Typically, production line machines are constructed with a set operatorstation on one side of the machine. In many machines the direction ofthe production line is not adjustable either due to expense of areversible conveyor or product path or multiple processes or actions maytake place in a single machine and those processes or actions must occurin a particular order. Additionally, the structure of the machine mayprevent access for maintenance from either side of the machine. Thesethings prevent the machine from being placed in certain positions orforce an operator to work from a set position. Forcing a worker to be ina set position may be particularly problematic for production linesrequiring direct operator interaction with the product as it moves alongthe line because the direction of movement can tend to favorright-handed or left-handed operation. The following are exemplary ofset operator stations and limited access line machines; U.S. Pat. No.5,161,678 issued to Garvey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,936 issued to Niggemyer,U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,728 issued to Masuda et al., U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 2002/0092157 filed by Yoshida et al., U.S. Pat. No. Des. 326,861issued to D'Amato, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,863 issued to Tsuchiya et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,796 issued to Pierson, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,213issued to Seddon.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the need remains for a device that is adjustable to permitpositioning of an operator on a selectable side of the machine either topermit positioning of the machine in a particular work space or topermit moving the operator station to accommodate the preferences orphysical characteristics of the various operators of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by providingoperational controls on either side of the machine including whennecessary a viewing screen that can be turned to face either side of themachine, alternate sets of controls on each side of the machine, and anappropriate switching mechanism to permit selection of which of thealternate sets of controls will be operational.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new operatorposition adjustable production line machine that provides access to theinterior of the machine as needed from either side of the machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newoperator position adjustable production line machine that economicallyprovides versatility to insure the machine will be integratable into anexisting production line that may already be positioned such that anoperator cannot be positioned on one side of the machine.

To this end, the present invention generally comprises a main unithaving a conveyor or product path cavity. A pair of control stations areprovided, one on each side of the main unit. A switching mechanism isincluded to permit selection of which control station is activated tocontrol the main unit. As needed, a view screen is rotatably attached tothe main unit such that it may be turned to face either control station.In covered embodiments, the main unit includes a top and optional sidecovers that lift vertically, separately or together, to provide anadjustable height to the product path cavity or to provide access to theinterior of the main unit.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the invention, along with the various features of noveltywhich characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a new operator position adjustable productionline machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention with the top in a closedposition.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention with the top in an openposition.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with the product pathcavity increased in height.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, a new operator position adjustable production line machineembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. Theparticular machine shown relates to surface mount assembly of circuitboards but the principles of the invention may be applied to allproduction line machines in which a product is conveyed or passed fromone end to another.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the operator positionadjustable production line machine 10 generally comprises a main unit 20that includes a product cavity 34 and a product path 22. Typically, toreduce expense, the product moves in a single direction from one end ofthe main unit 20 to the other end. A pair of control stations 24 isprovided. Each control station 24 is positioned on a respective side25,27 of the main unit 20. The control stations may be redundant, i.e.duplicates of each other, and both active simultaneously or a switchingassembly 26 may be operationally coupled to the pair of control stations24 for selective activation of either one of the control stations 24.Thus, an operator of the main unit can be positioned on either side ofthe main unit such that the product moves either left to right or rightto left relative to the operator.

In an embodiment, a view screen 28 is rotatably coupled to a top surfaceof the main unit 20 such that the view screen 28 is viewable by anoperator positioned at either one of the pair of control stations 24 byturning the view screen 28 to the desirable position. The view screen isoperational throughout the full turning radius to be viewable throughoutthe full range of motion of the view screen. Thus, the view screen maybe positioned at a desired angle during use.

In an embodiment, the main unit 20 includes a top 30 and optional sidecovers 32. A plurality of support posts 36 is selectively coupledbetween the main unit 20, the top 30 and the optional side covers 32.The support posts may be directly connected to either the top or theside covers as desired. The support posts 36 are extendable from themain unit 20 to raise or lower the top 30 and/or optional side covers 32to increase or decrease the height of product cavity 34 and/or provideaccess to the interior of the main unit 20. This may be achieved throughknown mechanical techniques such as telescopic support posts operated bylead screws, air cylinders, or hydraulic cylinders. Post operating means40 such as a control button or switch are provided for extending thesupport posts 36 to raise or lower top 30 and/or optional side covers32. The post operating means 40 is mirrored to be part of each controlstation 24 and is operationally controlled from an activated one of thepair of control stations 24.

Top 30 extends between the opposite sides of the main unit 20 to provideaccess to the process cavity 34 or the interior of the main unit 20. Itis contemplated that the structure of the main unit is substantiallysymmetrical to provide equal access to the process cavity 34 or theinterior from either side of the main unit 20.

A stop button 42 or equivalent control is operationally coupled to themain unit 20 for permitting selective shut down of the main unit 20 inan emergency situation. The stop button 42 is positioned between thecontrol stations 24 such that the stop button 42 is designed to beaccessible to an operator at either one of the control stations 24. Thispositioning separates the stop button from other controls in the controlstations to prevent accidental use of the stop button while stillpermitting access to an operator at either control station 24.Preferably, the stop button 42 is positioned along a longitudinal axisof the main unit 20 so that the stop button is substantially equidistantfrom each control station 24.

In an embodiment, the stop button 42 is positioned proximate end 21 ofthe main unit 20. A second stop button 43 is positioned proximate end 23of the main unit 20 opposite end 21. The second stop button 43 issimilarly operationally coupled to permit emergency shut down of themain unit and is similarly positioned equidistant between the oppositesides of the main unit to permit equal access from either side of themain unit. If the main unit is very wide, stop buttons 42 and 43 maybecome pairs of stop buttons offset to sides 25 and 27 to be readilyreachable from either side of the main unit.

As may be needed, a light tower 46 is coupled to the main unit 20.Further, an air filter 48 may be coupled to the main unit 20. The unitshown is representative of one used for electronic circuit boardconstruction and is an example of a unit having heating and then coolingas the product moves along the conveyor. In this unit the air filter 48extends along one of the sides 25,27 of the main unit 20. A second airfilter 50 may be provided to extend along an associated side 25,27 ofthe main unit 20 opposite the first air filter 48. Air filters 48 and 50may or may not be equal in length and may or may not be equal to top 30length.

The main power on/off switch or circuit breaker is operated by the mainpower handle 52 which pivots equidistant between opposite sides 25,27 ofthe main unit 20 enabling power to be turned on and off from either sideof the main unit at any time. Main power receptacle 54 is usuallylocated as shown in FIG. 1 on side 27 but may be alternately located onside 25. Exhaust opening 56 is usually located as shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 3 on side 27 but may be alternately located on side 25.

In use, production lines may only permit access to a single side of eachmachine. The present invention may be installed into a new or existingline of machines such that the product path and process direction isconsistent with the production line and the operator will have access tothe process cavity and the control station. The present invention may beinstalled into process lines running left to right or right to left withaccess from only one side or the other or both sides. In any event theoperator will be able to operate the invention from the preferred sideor equally from both sides and have access to the process cavity fromthe preferred side or equally from both sides.

It is contemplated that the features described above may be employed invarious combinations. The above described embodiments are not intendedto limit the invention to specific combinations of described featuresand it is intended that the above description incorporates allcombinations and permutations of the described features except wherethose features may be mutually exclusive.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. An operator position adjustable production line assemblycomprising: a main unit having a pair of sides, a product path, and aproduct process cavity; and a pair of redundant control stations, eachcontrol station being positioned on a respective side of said main unitsuch that said main unit is operable by an operator positioned adjacentto a selectable side of said main unit; an air filter coupled to saidmain unit, said air filter extending along one of said sides of saidmain unit.
 2. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 1, further comprising: said main unit having a top beingmovable vertically to provide access to an interior of said main unit,said interior including said product cavity.
 3. The operator positionadjustable production line assembly of claim 2, further comprising: aplurality of support posts coupled between said main unit and said top,said support posts being extendable from said main unit to support saidtop in an elevated position over said main unit.
 4. The operatorposition adjustable production line assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising: a post operating assembly for extending said posts to movesaid top, said post operating assembly being operationally controlled toeach said control station.
 5. The operator position adjustableproduction line assembly of claim 2, further comprising: side coverscoupled to said top for forming sides of said product process cavity. 6.The operator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a stop button operationally coupled to said mainunit for permitting selective shut down of said main unit, said stopbutton being positioned between said control stations such that saidstop button is adapted for being accessible to an operator positioned ata selectable one of said control stations.
 7. The operator positionadjustable production line assembly of claim 6 wherein said stop buttonis positioned along a longitudinal axis of said main unit.
 8. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 6,further comprising: said stop button being a first stop button, saidfirst stop button being positioned proximate an first end of said mainunit; and a second stop button, said second stop button being positionedproximate a second end of said main unit opposite said first end.
 9. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a light tower coupled to said main unit.
 10. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: said main unit having a top for covering an openinginto said main unit, said opening extending between a pair of sides ofsaid main unit to provide access to said interior of said main unit; andside covers coupled to said top for adjusting a height of said top abovesaid opening.
 11. The operator position adjustable production lineassembly of claim 1, further comprising: said air filter being a firstair filter; a second air filter extending along an associated side ofsaid main unit opposite said first air filter.
 12. The operator positionadjustable production line assembly of claim 1, further comprising: amain power handle operationally coupled to said main unit and positionedfor being operable from each said side of said main unit.
 13. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: an exhaust opening in said main unit, said exhaustopening being positioned closer to one of said pair of sides of saidmain unit.
 14. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 1, further comprising; two stop buttons offset from alongitudinal axis of said main unit such that each stop button isreachable from a respective one of said sides of said main unit.
 15. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a switching assembly operationally coupled to saidpair of control stations for selective activation of each controlstation.
 16. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 1, further comprising: a pair of first end stop buttons, eachfirst end stop button being positioned at a first end of said main unitproximate a respective side of said main unit; and a pair of second endstop buttons, each second end stop button being positioned at a secondend of said main unit proximate a respective side of said main unit. 17.The operator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 1,further comprising: a main power receptacle, said main power receptaclebeing positioned closer to one of said sides of said main unit.
 18. Amethod comprising: activating one of a plurality of control stations, atleast some of the control stations positioned on different sides of anelectronic circuit processing unit integrated into a multiple machineprocess line that moves electronic circuits in a process direction fromeither left to right or right to left relative to the activated one ofthe plurality of control stations of the electronic circuit processingunit wherein the electronic circuit processing unit comprises a conveyordisposed intermediate two opposing sides of the electronic circuitprocessing unit, a cover that comprises a top and downwardly extendingsides and support posts for raising the cover to an open position toprovide access to the conveyor from each of the opposing sides and forlowering the cover to a closed position that covers the conveyor;controlling an electronic circuit production process via the activatedcontrol station of the electronic circuit processing unit wherein theproduction process comprises heating and then cooling electroniccircuits moving in the process direction of the multiple machine processline via the conveyor of the electronic circuit processing unit with thecover of the electronic circuit processing unit in the closed position;stopping movement of the conveyor of the electronic circuit processingunit; and controlling the support posts of the electronic circuitprocessing unit via the activated control station of the electroniccircuit processing unit to extend the support posts vertically to raisethe cover to the open position to provide access to the conveyor fromeach of the two opposing sides of the electronic circuit processingunit.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the stopping movement occursresponsive to an emergency situation.
 20. The method of claim 18 whereinthe stopping movement occurs responsive to activation of one of aplurality of stop buttons.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein thecontrolling support posts via the activated control station comprisescontrolling a central control unit.
 22. A processing unit for processingelectronic circuits, the processing unit configured for integration intoa multiple machine process line that has a process direction, theprocessing unit comprising: an air filter; a top that comprisesdownwardly extending sides; a plurality of support posts connected tothe top; a conveyor disposed intermediate two opposing sides of theprocessing unit and configured to convey electronic circuits along along axis of the processing unit in the process direction of themultiple machine process line for heating and then cooling of theelectronic circuits, in that order, under the top; a central controlunit configured to control movement of the conveyor and to controlextension of the plurality of support posts to vertically adjust heightof the top with respect to the conveyor to provide access to theconveyor from each of the two opposing sides of the processing unit; aplurality of control stations configured for selective activation tocontrol the central control unit, at least some of the control stationspositioned on different sides of the processing unit, wherein electroniccircuits processed by the processing unit move in the process directionof the multiple machine process line, the direction being either left toright or right to left relative to each of the plurality of controlstations; and a plurality of stop buttons configured to control thecentral control unit to at least stop movement of the conveyor.
 23. Anoperator position adjustable production line assembly comprising: a mainunit having a pair of sides, a product path, and a product processcavity; a pair of redundant control stations, each control station beingpositioned on a respective side of said main unit such that said mainunit is operable by an operator positioned adjacent to a selectable sideof said main unit; and an air filter coupled to said main unit, said airfilter extending along one of said sides of said main unit.
 24. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 23,further comprising: said main unit having a top being movable verticallyto provide access to an interior of said main unit, said interiorincluding said product cavity.
 25. The operator position adjustableproduction line assembly of claim 24, further comprising: a plurality ofsupport posts coupled between said main unit and said top, said supportposts being extendable from said main unit to support said top in anelevated position over said main unit.
 26. The operator positionadjustable production line assembly of claim 25, further comprising: apost operating assembly for extending said posts to move said top, saidpost operating assembly being operationally controlled to each saidcontrol station.
 27. The operator position adjustable production lineassembly of claim 24, further comprising: side covers coupled to saidtop for forming sides of said product process cavity.
 28. The operatorposition adjustable production line assembly of claim 23, furthercomprising: a stop button operationally coupled to said main unit forpermitting selective shut down of said main unit, said stop button beingpositioned between said control stations such that said stop button isadapted for being accessible to an operator positioned at a selectableone of said control stations.
 29. The operator position adjustableproduction line assembly of claim 28 wherein said stop button ispositioned along a longitudinal axis of said main unit.
 30. The operatorposition adjustable production line assembly of claim 28, furthercomprising: said stop button being a first stop button, said first stopbutton being positioned proximate an first end of said main unit; and asecond stop button, said second stop button being positioned proximate asecond end of said main unit opposite said first end.
 31. The operatorposition adjustable production line assembly of claim 23, furthercomprising: a light tower coupled to said main unit.
 32. The operatorposition adjustable production line assembly of claim 23, furthercomprising: said main unit having a top for covering an opening intosaid main unit, said opening extending between a pair of sides of saidmain unit to provide access to said interior of said main unit; and sidecovers coupled to said top for adjusting a height of said top above saidopening.
 33. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 23, further comprising: said air filter being a first airfilter; a second air filter extending along an associated side of saidmain unit opposite said first air filter.
 34. The operator positionadjustable production line assembly of claim 23, further comprising: amain power handle operationally coupled to said main unit and positionedfor being operable from each said side of said main unit.
 35. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 23,further comprising: an exhaust opening in said main unit, said exhaustopening being positioned closer to one of said pair of sides of saidmain unit.
 36. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 23, further comprising: two stop buttons offset from alongitudinal axis of said main unit such that each stop button isreachable from a respective one of said sides of said main unit.
 37. Theoperator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 23,further comprising: a switching assembly operationally coupled to saidpair of control stations for selective activation of each controlstation.
 38. The operator position adjustable production line assemblyof claim 23, further comprising: a pair of first end stop buttons, eachfirst end stop button being positioned at a first end of said main unitproximate a respective side of said main unit; and a pair of second endstop buttons, each second end stop button being positioned at a secondend of said main unit proximate a respective side of said main unit. 39.The operator position adjustable production line assembly of claim 23,further comprising: a main power receptacle, said main power receptaclebeing positioned closer to one of said sides of said main unit.